Spindle driving means in a cotton picking unit



Dec. 10, 1957- M w- SHANNON I 2,815,635

SPINDLE DRIVING MEANS IN A COTTON PICKING UNIT Filed July 5, 1956. 2Sheets-Sheet l A L I l Il II fl Il Il n /l9 i 2O I7 I3 l |3 d 29 4s 48A3| o 0 o W l Y l2 :V 3 |2 l l5 JNVENToR, MONIAGUE W SHANNON www f Dec.10, 1957 M. w. SHANNON SPINDLE DRIVING MEANS IN A COTTON PICKING UNIT-Filed July 5, 1956 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 INVENToR, MON TA GUE W SHANNON 2BYal United States Patent O SPINDLE-DRIVIN G MEANS IN A CTTON PICKING UNITMontguelW. Shannon, Greenfield, Tenn.

Application .lilly 5, 1956, Serial No'. 595,956` 6 Claims. (Cl. sti-42)A `his invention relates to la cotton picker, and more particularly,t`o`- ay cotton picking unithaving a pluralityvOlff.rotatalfilerod-like. spindles for engaging and removing-th'ecottonber from cotton bells.

n H'e'retofore in cotton picking units of the above mentined spindletype the spindles have been rotatably mounted from a pluralityof-vertical Slat-like members, which in turn are hingedly mounted onchains and carried `in=..an..e`ndless horizontal path. This type of con-Structionnecessarily results in a great number of moving parts, and inan extremely heavyand bulky picking unit.

The cotton-picker of the present invention overcomes.thefabovefmentioned objections vby providing a picker Thisresults inless maintenance and oiling.Y Ina'ddition,4 the picking unit ofthe-presentinvention ismuch lighter thanprevious pickers, thuslma'kingpossible the carrying of a greater-number of Vuni-tsy from a tractor.VHeretofore the 'extreme weight' of previous picking unitsv -lirnitedtovtwo` thefnumber yof picking units that' should be carriedby atractor,fwhere`as with they units ofthe-presetinvention as many `asfout" units may be carried by l asingle` tractor to pick four-rows at atime.-

The' Vprincipal object. of the present invention is to provideanveicient, y'etsiniple and' compact, cottonipickigzunit.-

A further object isv to provide a cotton picking -unit i'nliwhichkfriction and wear are kept at a minimum.

AA further object is to provide a cotton picking'unit havinga minimumnumber of gears, chains, and the like whichbecome .clogged with dirt andpresent lubrication problems.n

A further objectis to` provide a durable unit` which requires? lessadjustment.

A further' object is to provide a cotton picking-structure ofligh'tWeight without'sacricing. strength of construction.

Afifurltherobject is to provide a cottonpickirig` unit having a positivestripping means.

A further vobject lis to provide a cotton picking unit comprised of aplrality of spindles carried by horizontaliyi disposedA pairs et lightweight bands which are in oi'l'rlyig relationship' and with eachhorizontal row of spindles being carried in an endless path androtatably driven by a pairiof belts travelling at different speeds-and vin eppesitedirections.

A ffrtherf object is; to provide in such a cotton picker ilovel meansfortig'htening -the drive belts.

y l A Vfurther Objectis to Aprovide-in such a picking unit 'ice - fromthe following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. lis aplan view of the cotton picking unit of the present invention,with parts. removed and broken away fornpurposes of illustration. p

Fig.. 2 is a side elevational view of the same with parts broken awayfor purposes of illustration.

Fig.- 3' lis a diagrammatic view as viewed from the-side ofthe pickeroppositefrom that shown in Fig. 2 of the manner .inv which ltheVspindles are rotated and carried along inthe same direction by means ofbelts travelling at-diierent speedscand inl opposite directions.

Fig-.4 is an enlarged'iragmentary sectional View taken as-o'nthelineIV-IVD Fig.- 1.

Fig. 5 is --an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the scale of-Fig.4 takenaso'n the line V-V of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken asfonthe-line VI-VI of` Fig. l.

Fig.- 7 isal fragmentary front elevational View on the scale .of'Fig-.otaf-"one of the bands showing the apertures therein.

Fig. 8 is asimilar VView partly in section of one of the bearings`takenwas on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. V6,'illustratingthe bearingiinlocked position in the aperture.

Fig.;y 9*'is asimilar view illustrating the bearing-in the'alinedposition.`r

Fig.;10 is an elevational view on the scale of Fig.A 5 ofone of' thespreader rollers.

Referringnowto-wthe drawings in which the various parts' are indicatedby numerals, ther cotton picking'unit 1-1 ofithe' presentinventioniswadapted tobe'suspended asvby bracketsl 12 'from' a tractork(not shown) or other conveyiiigmeans; andV 'to' pick the cotton fromthe cotton bollsrfbyimeans` of rotatingrod-like cotton pickingspinedles. 13"as-fthetcottonlpieking unit isvconveyed over the rows'lofcotton;l Cotton picking spindles 13 are preferablypo'sitlione'dso as toprovide a'pluralit-y of` vertically spaced and horizontally disposed`rows 'of spindles. Cotton picking unit 11 comprises ingeneral acasinglS having acottonplant passageway 17 along one side thereof, thecotton'pla-nts entering vthe passageway at' the entrance 19`a1id leavingthe unitf by the-exit 20. After the cotton has been picked by spindles13 during plant passage through passageway 17', the spindles with thecotton wound Ltherearo'und are conveyed aroundto the oppositeorstripping side 21 'of the picking unit and 'the cotton is strippedfrom thespindl'esby means hereinafter described, the cotton beingsubsequently removedfrom the unit by 'suitable means yas` a suction ductZ2.

A vertically i disposed forward shaft 23 is rotatably mounted in casing-15 Ladjacent-th'eforward end thereof, and a vertically disposed'rearward' shaft 25 'is rotatably mounted adjacent -the` rearward endthereof; Forward shaft 23 and rearward shaft 25"are driveninoppositedirections and at ldifferent 'speeds as' by the following means: A driveshaft 27 is coupled at one end to a suitable drive means (not-shown), asfor example the motor of the conveying tractor.- Drive shaft 27isprovided with oppositely pitched worm-type gears 29, 31,whichrespectively engage drive` gears 33, 35, which in turnarerespectivelykeyed tothe `forward shaft 23 and rearward shaft'ZS. One'ofthe gears 33, 35 is larger than theiother,

whereby the shafts 25, 27 will be driven at different speeds. In thepresent drawings drive gear 35 is illustrated as being larger indiameter than drive gear 3,3,

` whereby the forward shaft 23 will be driven at a greater Fixed pulleys39 are keyed to shaft 23 for rotation therewith and pulleys 41 yarerotatable with respect to shaft 23. Similarly a plurality of fixedpulleys 43 and rotatably mounted pulleys 45 are alternately mounted onrearward shaft 25, with the fixed pulleys 43 being oppositely disposedfrom rotatably mounted pulleys 41, and rotatably mounted pulleys 45being disposed oppositely from xed pulleys 39. A plurality of endlesshorizontally disposed drive belts 47 are respectively mounted on the`above mentioned pairs of oppositely disposed pulleys. A plurality ofpairs of idler pulleys 48 is provided for respectively engaging belts 47at longitudinally spaced points to hold a section of the belts outwardlyadjacent the mid-portion of cotton plant passageway 17 whereby to narrowthe passageway along this section thereof for more eicient picking ofthe cotton. Idler pulleys 48 are journalled on shafts 48A which arevertically mounted in casing 15 in longitudinally spaced relation.

A plurality of spindle rollers 49 are respectively keyed onto spindles13 adjacent one end of the spindles. Since spindles 13 are disposed in aplurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows, the rollers 49 will bearranged in the same pattern. The horizontal rows of rollers 49 arerespectively disposed between adjacent horizontal drive belts 47. Thuseach of spindle rollers 49 frictionally engages a pair of drive belts47, that is, the upper surface of the roller engages the drive beltthereabove and the lower surface of the roller engages the drive belttherebelow. The rollers 49 with spindles 13 are rotated and conveyedalong by the drive belts, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. Thus forexample, the upper one of the spindle rollers 49 illustrated in Fig. 3with its related spindle is rotated in a counterclockwise directionsince the portion of the upper belt which engages the roller moves tothe left, as viewed in Fig. 3, and the portion of the next adjacentlower belt which engages the roller moves to the right. The roller 47next below said upper roller rotates in a clockwise direction since theportion of the drive belt which engages the upper surface of said nextroller moves to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, and the portion of thenext adjacent lower belt which engages the roller moves to the left asviewed in Fig. 3. Thus it will be seen every other roller 49 in avertical row will be rotated in opposite directions but conveyed alongin an endless horizontal path at the same rate of speed in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Fig. 1, said rate of speed being determined bythe differences in the speeds of the adjacent belts.

Drive belts 47 are preferably formed of rubber or the like and arepreferably reinforced by wires 51 extending therethrough. The outer andinner faces 53, 55 of belts 47 are preferably vertically disposed andthe upper and lower edges of the belts are preferably respectivelytapered from the center portion thereof towards the outer and innerfaces 53, 55 to form tapered upper and lower faces 57, 59, respectively.Spindle rollers 49 are tapered to match the outward portion of taperedupper and lower faces 57, 59, as best illustrated in Fig. 6.

Spindles 13 are rotatably carried by means of a plurality ofhorizontally disposed and vertically spaced pairs of Hexible 'bandsmovable in an endless horizontal path. Each of said pairs of bandscomprises an inner band 61 and an outer band 63 surrounding or overlyingthe inner band. Bands 61, 63 are preferably, though not necessarily,respectively provided with resilient backing 64, as

of rubber or the like, bonded thereto and are cut out to provide aplurality of alined rectangular apertures 65 in the inner and outerbands. Spindles 13 respectively extend outwardly through -alinedapertures 65 with the rollers 49 thereof being disposed behind orinwardly of the bands 61, 63. Each of spindles 13 is supported frombands 61, 63 in the alined apertures by means of an inner 4bearing 67and an outer bearing 69. Each of bearings 67, 69 is provided with acentral longitudinal bore in which a spindle 13 is rotatably mounted.Additionally, outer bearing 69 is shiftable lengthwise along spindle 13,as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, for the stripping of cottontherefrom. Each of bearings 67 and 69 are provided with locking meanswhich are similar in construction, and for simplicitys sake only one isherein described. Said locking means comprises a locking portion 71adjacent one end of bearings 67, 69 and comprises an integrally formedintermediate stop portion 73. Locking portion 71 is preferablyrectangular in shape and slightly smaller in demensions than apertures65 for passage therethrough. The length of locking portion 71 is greaterthan the width of aperture 65 so that when locking portion 71 is turnedwith its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of aperture 65, the locking portion will not passtherethrough. Stop portions 73 are preferably formed from a square shapewith the length of the sides thereof being less than the width ofapertures 65. Additionally, a pair of opposing corners of stop portions73 are rounded olf, as at 75, so that the stop portions may be turned aquarter of a turn in the apertures. It will be understood that in orderto allow the stop portions 73 to be turned in aperture 65, the amount ofrounding olf of the opposing corners must be such that the radiusthereof relative to the center of stop portions 73 is less than one-halfthe width of the rectangular aperture 65. Bearings 67, 69 are turnablefrom and to a locked position, best illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8, andturnable to and from an alined position, for removal and insertion ofthe bearings. In the alined position, as best illustrated in Fig. 9, itwill be seen the bearing has been turned clockwise a quarter of a turnfrom the position in Fig. 8 so that the opposite square corner portions77 limit further clockwise motion by engagement with the upper and loweredges 79, 81 respectively of aperture 65, and so that locking portion 71is in alinement with the aperture for passage therethrough. In thelocked position, as will be seen in Figs. 6 and 8, the bearing is limtedin further counter-clockwise movement by engagement of square cornerportions 77 with edges 79, 81, respectively, and locking portions 71engage the bands adjacent apertures 65 to prevent removal of thebearings from the apertures. It will be understood that the propercorners Aare rounded olf of stop portions 73 so that the rotation ofspindles 13 will urge bearings 67, 69 towards said locked position.Thus, the bearings in Figs. 8 and 9 are adapted to be placed on aspindle which rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. For a spindlerotating in a clockwise direction it will be necessary to round off theother pair -of corners instead of the pairs rounded oil:` in Figs. 8 and9. Bearings 67, 69 are disposed in apertures 65 so that the lockingportions 71 of bearings 67, 69 are in abutment as best illustrated inFig. 6.

The exterior portion of outer bearing 69 remote from its locking portion71 is preferably hemispherical, as at 83, and is provided with anannular shoulder 85 adjacent the inward side thereof. A ring-like rubbergrommet 87 is removably mounted between shoulder 85 and the outward sideof band 63 to hold the locking portion 71 against the back of the outerband 63 and yet permit limited canting movement of spindle 13.

The end of inner bearings 67 remote from locking portion 71 ispreferably flat, as at 89, and a washer 91 carried on spindle 13 is heldthereagainst by means of` a spring 93. From the foregoing description itwill be apparent that the spindle assembly, generally designated as 95,compared. to previous` spindle type cotton pickers comprises arelatively small number of parts, namely, spindle 13, roller 49, innerand outer bearings 67, 69, washer 91, and spring 93, thusresultinginless maintenance and oiling.

Separating means is provided on the cotton stripping rollers 49 inwardlyor away from band 61, and the new' spindle may then be insertedlengthwise into the bearings from the inward side thereof. Thus, thespindles of the present invention may be replaced much easier andquicker than the replacement of spindles in previous cot-y ton pickers.Said separating means preferably comprises a plurality of separating`assemblies 99 vertically spaced and respectively rotatably mounted on avertical rod 101 which is turnably mounted in the picking unit casing15. Each of 'separating assemblies 99 preferably comprises a casing 103journalled on rod 101, and a pulley 105 rotatably mounted in casing 103,as by means of roller bearing lassemblies 197 which are clampingly heldin place between the upper and lower portions of casing 103`by means ofbolt means 109, as best illustrated in Fig. 4'. A spring 111 is providedin each of separating assemblies 99, the spring being preferably coiledabout rod 101 with one end of the springxedly secured to the rod as by apin 113 projecting from the rod, and with the other end of the springengaging the casing to urge the casing in a clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 1.

The upper end -of rod 101 is preferably squared as at 115 whereby toreceive a wrench or the like for turn Aof rod 101. Turn of rod 101 in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 is effective to wind spring 111whereby to increase the pressure of the spring oncasing 103 and to causethe pulley 105 to eXert'a greater pressure against drive belts 47. Thusit will beseen, adjustable means is provided for tightening drive belts17. Additionally, means is provided for maintaining rod 101 at thedesired angular position, said means preferably comprising a pawl 117mounted on casing 15 and engaging a ratchet wheel 119 which is xedlymounted on rod 101.

Spreading means is interposed between overlapping pairs of inner andouter bands 61, 63 at a place in the endless path of movement of thebands adjacent thecotton stripping sidethat is, Ythe side of unit 11opposite from stripping side 21, whereby the outer band is shiftedoutwardly relatively to the spindles 13, as best illustrated in Figs.` land 5, forcing bearing 69 along the spindles to strip the cottontherefrom. Said spreading means is provided with oppositely facing Vbandengaging surfaces which are spaced apart a distance substantially equalto the eX- posed length of spindle 13 when bearing 69 is in a retractedposition as illustrated in Fig. 6. Thus the exposed length of spindle 13is the length of the spindle from a point on the spindle adjacent theouter end of bearing 69 to the end of the spindle as viewed in Fig. 6.The distance between the oppositely facing band engaging surfaces isimportant since in order to strip the cotton from spindle 13 the bearing69 must be moved substantially to the outward end of the spindle, andthis is accomplished when said distance is substantially equal to saidexposed length. Said spreading means preferably comprises a plurality ofspreaders 121, each of which com prises in general a carriage 123, andpreferably though not necessarily, three rollers 125 rotatably mountedfrom carriage 123 by means of roller bearing rings 127, including innerring 128 and outer ring 128A. In the embodiment illustrated the rollers125 are in a triangular disposition and .said oppositly facing bandengaging, surfaces comprise the outer face' of one` of therollersand theoppositely facing faces of theotiiertwo rollers: Each of carriages. 123are 'preferablyformed frorrr two separate sections, an upper sectionY129' and a lowerssection- 1:31, respectively having integrally'formedCOne-shaped'" portions 133 extending from each of` the sections"towards theV other.. Inner ring ,123` is clamped between concshapedportions 133 ,by means of a bolt'1i3f7'extending therethrough. Outerring v128A is remova'bly-andixzedly anchored against a shoulder 141,provided in the interior of rollers 125, `by means of a snap ring 143removably engaged in a groove provided in the interiorV ofthe roller.

Each'of rollers-125is provided with a circumferential embos'sment 145dividing the roller into an upper roller surface 147 and a lower rollersurface 149.I One of rollers in each ofV carriages 123 engages a'pairLof adjacent outer bands 63 with embossment '1451 extending therebetweenand with theiupper, one of said pair ofadjacent bands engaging upperlroller surface 147 and' the lower one of said adjacent'bands engaginglower roller surface 149. The remainingtwo rollers in each of carriages123 engage an adjacentpair of inner bands 61^with embossment 145extending therebetweenl and with the Vupper'one of said pair of adjacentinner bands engaging upper roller surface 147and thelower one ofsaid'adjacent bandsy engagingjlower roller surface 149. Spreaders1Z1'are respectively supported from a vertical post y151, mounted incasing 15, by meansofa plurality ofI vertically spaced and horizontallyextending arms 153 mounted adjacent one'end thereofvto postv 151 andrespectivelyextendingthrough the vertical` spaces between adjacent pairsof bands. The other' end ofiarms 153`are respectively attached tospreaders 121to'provid`c support therefor. attachment means ofarms 153'to spreaders 'llfcomprise hollow tubes 155 fixedly attached to the endof the arms and clampingly heldbetween the upper and lower sections 129;131 by a bolt means 157. It will be understoodthat the uppermost andlowermostspreaders consist of only one-half vof aA spreader- 121 sinceit is necessary for these uppermost and lowermost spreaders only tocontact one pair` of inner and outer bands. Thus, as best illustrated inFig. 5, the uppermost spreadercomprisesanupper section 129` andone-halfof a roller 125with the circumferential embossment being disposedadjacent the upper edge thereof. Arm 153 may be omitted and thel uppersection 129 extend to be Xedly attached to the upper end of verticalpost 151. Lowermost spread'er121 is of similar construction to uppermostspreader 121 just described.

Frorn the foregoing it will be understood that the present inventionprovides a novel cotton picker having few moving parts and characterizedby a simplicityV of construction which is light weight, yet sturdy andrugged. Additionally, .a novel and eicient means is provided forrotating the spindles and at the same time conveying them in an endlesspath. In addition, many other unique features are provided in the cottonpicker of the present invention not heretoforev known.

I claim:

l. In a cotton picker, a housing, a plurality of horizontally disposedand vertically spaced pairs of bands movable in an endless horizontalpath, a plurality of cotton picking spindle means rotatably mounted andcarried on said pairs of bands to provide a plurality of horizontal rowsof cotton picking spindle means, each of said pairs of bands comprisingan inner band and an outer band surrounding said inner band, a pluralityof horizontally disposed drive belts movable in an endless path, thespindle means in each of said horizontal rows being respectivelyfrictionally engaged on opposite sides thereof by an adjacent pair ofsaid drive belts, means driving said belts, adjacent drive belts beingdriven in opposite directions and at different speeds to rotate saidspindle means and to move said spindle means with said bands in anendless path, a plurality of means for separating said drive belts fromengagement with said spindle means, a vertical rod turnably mounted fromsaid housing, said separating means being vertically spaced andrespectively rotatably mounted on said rod; each of said separatingmeans comprising a casing, a pulley rotatably mounted in said casing,said pulley engaging one of said drive belts, a spring engaging saidcasing and said rod to urge said pulley against said drive belt, theturning of said vertical rod being effective to change the pressure ofsaid spring on said casing to vary the force said pulley exerts againstsaid drive belt whereby to vary the tightness of said drive belt, pawland ratchet means coupled to said rod to maintain said rod at thedesired position for the desired tightness of said drive belt.

2. In a cotton picker, a housing, a plurality of horizontally disposedand vertically spaced pairs of bands movable in an endless horizontalpath, a plurality of cotton picking spindle means rotatably mounted andcarried on said pairs of bands to provide a plurality of horizontal rowsof cotton picking spindle means, each of said pairs of bands comprisingan inner band an outer band surrounding said inner band, a plurality ofhorizontally disposed drive belts movable in an endless path, thespindle means in each of said horizontal rows being respectivelyfrictionally engaged on opposite sides thereof by an adjacent pair ofsaid drive belts, means driving said belts, adjacent drive belts beingdriven in opposite directions and at different speeds to rotate saidspindle means and to move said spindle means with said bands in anendless path, a plurality of means for separating said drive belts fromengagement with said spindle means, a vertical rod turnably mounted fromsaid housing, said separating means being vertically spaced andrespectively rotatably mounted on said rod;,each of said separatingmeans comprising a casing rotatably mounted on said rod, a pulleyrotatably mounted in said casing, said pulley engaging one of said drivebelts, a spring engaging said casing and said rod to urge said pulleyagainst said drive belt.

3. In a cotton picker, a plurality of horizontally disposed andvertically spaced pairs of bands movable in an endless horizontal path,a plurality of cotton picking spindle means rotatably mounted andcarried on said pairs of bands to provide a plurality of horizontal rowsof cotton picking spindle means, each of said pairs of bands comprisingan inner band and an outer band surrounding said inner band, a pluralityof horizontally disposed drive belts movable in an endless path, thespindle means in each of said horizontal rows being respectivelyfrictionally engaged on opposite sides thereof by an adjacent pair ofsaid drive belts, means driving said belts, adjacent drive belts beingdriven in opposite directions and at different speeds to rotate saidspindle means and to move said spindle means with said bands in anendless path, a plurality of means engaging said drive belts and urgingsaid drive belts away from said spindle means along a portion of saidendless path thereby stopping the rotation of said spindle means for thecotton stripping operation.

4. In a cotton picker, a plurality of horizontally disposed andvertically spaced pairs of bands movable in an endless horizontal path,a plurality of cotton picking spindle means rotatably mounted andcarried on said pairs of bands to provide a plurality of horizontal rowsof said cotton picking spindle means, each of said pairs of bandscomprising an inner band and an outer band surrounding said inner band,a plurality of horizontally disposed drive belts movable in an endlesspath, the spindle means in each of said horizontal rows beingrespectively frictionally engaged on opposite sides thereof by anadjacent pair of drive belts, means driving said belts, adjacent drivebelts being driven in opposite directions and at diiferent speeds torotate said spindle means and to move said spindle means with said bandsin an endless path.

5. In a cotton picker, a plurality of horizontally disposed bandsmovable in an endless horizontal path, said bands being formed toprovide a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of bearing meansrespectively carried by said bands in said apertures, a plurality ofspindle means rotatably carried in said bearing means, each of saidspindle means including an inward end and an outward end, said spindlemeans being inwardly and longitudinally slidable from said bearings, aplurality of drive belts engaging the inward yend of said spindle meansto drive said spindles and prevent removal thereof from said bearings,separating means engaging said drive belts adjacent atleast one place insaid endless path to separate said i drive belts from said spindle meansadjacent said one place whereby access is provided to said spindle meansfor removal thereof.

6. In a cotton picker, a plurality of horizontally disposed andvertically spaced pairs of bands movable in an endless horizontal path,a plurality of cotton-picking spindle means rotatably mounted andcarried on said pairs of bands to provide a plurality of horizontal rowsof cotton-picking spindle means, each of said pairs of bands comprisingan inner band and an outer band surrounding said inner band, a pluralityof horizontally disposed drive belts movable in an endless path, thespindle means in each of said horizontal rows being respectivelyfrictionally engaged on opposite sides thereof by an adjacent pair ofsaid drive belts, means driving said belts, adjacent drive belts beingdriven in opposite directions and at different speeds to rotate saidspindle means and to move said spindle means with said bands in auendless path.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,899,405 Wirth Feb. 28, 1933 2,224,286 Berry Dec. 10, 1940 2,665,536Rust Jan. l2, 1954 2,705,860 Fergason Apr. 12, 1955 2,768,494 FergasonOct. 30, 1956

